AIR TRAVELConsidering it´s size, Norway is exceptionally well served by the domestic airlines. There are about fifty airports and airfields, making even the far north seem a quick jaunt away. For more detailed information, contact one of the tour operators. The four domestic operating airlines are SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe, each offering discounted flight passes.

BUS / COACH TRAVELWhere the rail network stops, the bus goes further. You will find you can get to practically any little village you want to by bus. Usually it is not necessary to book in advance, but pay the driver on boarding. NOR-WAY Bussekspress guarantees a seat for all passengers. NOR-WAY BusPass is only on sale outside Norway through their agents. Contact Norwegian Tourist Board for details of their agents.

FERRIES, BOATS and THE COASTAL VOYAGEFerries and express boats / catamarans operate from early morning until late at night. There is no need to book and indeed you rarely can do so. The Norwegian Coastal Express (Hurtigruten) meaning the coastal express in Norwegian, sails up the coast of Norway all the way from Bergen, capital of the Fjord Country, right up beyond the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes. The ships are regular service vessels built to carry freight, mail and passengers along the 2,500 nautical miles of coastline.

Fjord1 is Norway´s largest ferry company, serving passengers from Rogaland in the south to Finnmark in the north. The headquarters are in Florø.

RAIL TRAVELNSB (Norwegian State Railways) has a well developed network connecting the main cities. Where the railroad ends, comfortable coaches take you further to Nordkapp, Kirkenes, etc. in the north or Kristiansund, Molde and Ålesund in the west. Most of the long distance routes are scenic routes. Specially spectacular routes to recommend are the Flåm Line (side line from the Bergen line) and Rauma Line from Dombås to Åndalsnes. Norwegian trains are very comfortable and provide good service, both on day and night services. There are also good, direct rail connections with the main cities in Sweden and Denmark.

Fares compare favourably with those in Britain, and there are special rail passes available, valid for unlimited travel during a chosen number of days. These are Scanrail Pass, Norway Rail Pass and Freedom (Domino) - Pass - Norway. Discounts are given on several coaches, ferries, etc. to holders of the Scanrail Pass. Note that favourable prices are offered for Scandinavian connections by British Rail International.

MOTORING in NORWAYNorwegian roads have varying quality. General speed limit is 80 kmh and speed is often slower due to road conditions. Police patrol highways in marked and unmarked cars. Distances between some of the Cities / places in Norway.

ROADS

The main roads are the European highways indicated with an "E" in front of the number. E-roads. Roads numbered as part of the International E-road network, no national number in addition, signs are white on green.

National roads. Other main roads ("green roads") in addition to E-roads, signs white on green.

European route E-6 is the designation for the main north-south road in Norway, and the west coast of Sweden, running from the southern tip of Sweden, at Trelleborg, into Norway and through almost all of the country north to Finnmark. The route ends close to the Russian border. Its length is 3,140 km.

Some stretches north of Oslo also has four lanes or motorway standard. The rest of the road is ordinary road, usually 6–10 meters wide. Some parts in the extreme north of Norway are less than 6 meters wide, making it very tight when heavy vehicles meet. It is also often very curvy, at least on the northern half, north of Trondheim.

The road E-6 passes over treeless mountain passes in a few places in Norway. In the winter the weather conditions often can be so rough that the road must be closed temporarily.

Between Trelleborg and Kirkenes, there is a more than 800 km shorter route using E4 and E75, among the longest detour any European route has. Especially to and in Finnmark there are several options between two places along the E-6 shorter than E-6.

The E-16 is the main road between Norway´s two largest cities Oslo and Bergen, and the only mountain pass between Oslo and Bergen that is rarely closed due to snowstorms and blizzards. Outside winter, route 7 is at least as popular between Oslo and Bergen, since it is shorter. In 2011 it was decided to extend E-16 from the Oslo region eastwards through Kongsvinger. The signposting took place autumn 2012.

E16 meets the European route E39 in Bergen, and finally the E18 again in Sandvika. After the extension it meets the European route E6 at Gardermoen.

MOUNTAIN PASSESThose who plan to take a holiday by car over the mountains in the autumn, winter or spring would be well advised to check that the mountain pass is open. Some of the high mountain roads are closed for a period during the winter, the duration depending on the weather conditions. Listed below are the opening and closing times of the roads as a guide. There are however many mountain passes which are kept open all year round.

For example road number E 134Drammen - Bergen - Stavanger, across Haukelifjell mountain. (This road can be closed for short periods during bad weather). The same applies to the E6Oslo - Trondheim, across Dovrefjell mountain.

KYSTRIKSVEIEN ROAD (RV 17)The world´s most beautiful tourist road. From Steinkjer in the South to Bodø in the North the Kystriksveien road (The Costal Route) winds 650 km. through a varying and inviting landscape. Either you travel by car or maybe by bike, the Kystriksveien route has much to offer. Many of the experiences are to be found on the islands, and island hopping has become a popular activity for cyclists.

NATIONAL TOURIST ROUTESRunning along fjords, coasts, mountains and waterfalls where time stands still and the past and present seamlessly intersect, these routes embrace Norway and its beautiful countryside, offering domestic and foreign tourists world-class scenery and vistas.

These are the National tourist routes, memorable drives through a kaleidoscope of contrasts in scenery, culture and climate. These tourist routes invite you to take a break from the stress and annoyances of everyday life and take life at a slower pace.

CAR RENTAL GUIDE in NORWAYThe choice of carrental companies is as varied as the many facets of Norway. From the most famous names to the local firms. As most car hire companies in Norway are affiliated to one of the major international firms, you can simplify matters by contacting one of them in this country and booking in advance.

Motorhome hire holidays give you the freedom to discover a new destination every day.

Leaded gasoline is not available in Norway but lead replacement gasoline is widely available. You are well advised not to leave tanking up until the last minute, as opening hours vary greatly. Not all petrol stations accept payment by credit cards, so make sure to bring cash just in case.

TO DRIVE A ELECTRIC CAR in NORWAYAmong the existing government incentives, all-electric cars are exempt in Norway from the annual road tax, all public parking fees, and toll payments as well as being able to use bus lanes.

Norway have today 4757Charging points and 1317Charging stations.

Charging points can be found on street parking, at taxi stands, in parking lots, at places of employment, hotels, airports, shopping centers, convenience shops, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses etc., as well as in driveways and garages.

BREAKDOWN and PICK-UPThe law dictates that you carry a red warning triangle to leave behind your car in case of a breakdown.

Contact the two main offices below to find your nearest emergency pick up service. These offices cover all of Norway and provide a 24 hour service. Note: the 800 number is freephone within Norway:

Viking RedningstjenesteTel: 80 03 29 00 / 22 08 60 00

Falken RedningskorpsTel: 80 03 38 80 / 22 95 00 00

SAFETY REGULATIONSDrink - drive regulations are very strict in Norway with frequent controls. The permitted alcohol limit is 0.2 per thousand, and if you exceed this, you face an extremely severe penalty. Some medicines are to be avoided if you intend to drive. These are marked with a red triangle.

DRIVING LIGHTS

It is obligatory to drive with dipped headlights on, during the daytime, even on the brightest summer day.

SEAT BELTs and HELMETs

Use of safety belts is obligatory in back seats, if fitted, as well as in front seats. It is also obligatory to use child safety equipment. As you would expect, motor cycle and moped drivers and their passengers must wear helmets.

SPEED LIMITSOn Norwegian motorways and some other main roads, maximum speed is 100 km/hr.

On these stretches, which are clearly signposted, cars towing trailers or caravans, as well as coaches, are not permitted to travel faster than 80 km/hr.

Generally, however, the top speed outside built up areas is 80 km/hr. Caravans and trailers without brakes and weighing over 300 kg must not exceed 60 km/hr. Within built up areas, the limit is 50 km/hr. In residential areas, usually you may not drive faster than 30 km/hr. Please note that frequent speed controls are in operation both manual and automatic. Also be aware that ramps and speed control humps are not always signposted !

TOLL ROADSThere are approximately 50 toll stations in Norway. Most of them have automatic fee collection and some have lanes for AutoPASS and for manual payment. If you are planning to stay in Norway for less than two months, your are recommended to pay toll using Visitors" Payment, an Online service.